Maine Zumba prostitution suspect faces trial

ALFRED, Maine (AP) — A judge in Maine has refused to dismiss charges against the business partner of a Zumba instructor charged with running a prostitution ring from her dance studio.

The judge Wednesday rejected Mark Strong Sr.’s motion to dismiss.

The Portland Press Herald reports Strong is now scheduled to go on trial Jan. 22 on charges of promotion of prostitution, violation of privacy and conspiracy to commit those crimes.

Advertisement

The 57-year-old Thomaston businessman is accused of conspiring with Alexis Wright, whom authorities say ran a prostitution operation out of her Zumba studio in Kennebunk.

Strong’s attorney filed the motion to dismiss on the grounds that authorities failed to turn over evidence to the defense as legally required; and investigators did not provide proper evidence in seeking warrants to search the studio.

Neither the defense attorney nor prosecutors commented on the decision.